| Newton MA News and Politics Blog

Lower Falls Pedestrian Bridge

Folks linger after this morning’s official ribbon cutting for the Lower Falls pedestrian bridge. A large crowd of luminaries and others gathered to cut the ribbon and congratulate State Rep. Kay Khan on her dogged persistence and vision getting the bridge built. (You’ll have to go read the TAB article for a picture of the ribbon cutting itself. I was invited to stand with the snippers; I’m the orange blob behind Setti. Did I mention my award for my efforts on the project?)

Having never been to an event like this, my initial response: “All these people*, just for a dinky little bridge?” Upon reflection, the attention seems entirely appropriate. While it is ultimately a very local amenity, it’s the kind of amenity — an off-road path that connects the neighborhood to the calm and beauty of the Charles — that the city and region need more of. It’s really a little gem.

Which is why people hung out after the ceremony. It’s really peaceful.

More pictures after the jump

| Newton MA News and Politics Blog

Mayor Warren gets fired up about the Lower Falls bridge

| Newton MA News and Politics Blog

BPTF hands George Kirby and Miles Smith with Mayor Warren before the festivities

*One Lieutenant Governor (the Governor was scheduled, then had to cancel), one Mayor (ours), one Selectman (Wellesley’s), two state reps (Kay and her Wellesley counterpart), a host of state administration officials, cheeses from 1000 Commonwealth Ave., and on and on.